Jeremiah 21 – “Doom for Jerusalem”

Jeremiah warns king Zedekiah and his prophet that Jerusalem will be destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians.

II. Photo

Yahweh will join the Babylonians and fight against Jerusalem: “ I Myself will battle against you with an outstretched mighty arm, with anger and rage and great wrath.” (v. 5)

III. Select Verses

1-2: The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchiah and the priest Zephaniah, son of Maaseiah, to say, “Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, for King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the LORD will act for our sake in accordance with all His wonders, so that [Nebuchadrezzar] will withdraw from us.”

3-5: Jeremiah answered them, “Thus shall you say to Zedekiah: Thus said the LORD, the God of Israel: I am going to turn around the weapons in your hands with which you are battling outside the wall against those who are besieging you — the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans — and I will take them into the midst of this city; and I Myself will battle against you with an outstretched mighty arm, with anger and rage and great wrath.

8-9: “And to this people you shall say: Thus said the LORD: I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but whoever leaves and goes over to the Chaldeans who are besieging you shall live; he shall at least gain his life.

12: O House of David, thus said the LORD: Render just verdicts Morning by morning; Rescue him who is robbed From him who defrauded him. Else My wrath will break forth like fire And burn, with none to quench it, Because of your wicked acts.

IV. Outline

1-2. Introduction: prophetic response to Zedekiah and Pashhur about Nebuchadrezzar

3-7. Yahweh will fight on Nebuchadrezzar’s side

8-10. Those in Jerusalem will die and those who go to Babylon will live

11-12. Message to the king: injustice will lead to destruction

13-14. Yahweh will punish those in the valley (Jerusalem?) who think they are invincible